Last update - 00:00 30/04/2007
Wildcat rail strike halts commuter trains on a number of lines
By Haaretz Service
A wildcat strike by Israeli Railways workers caused serious disruptions in railroad schedules on Monday, halting commuter trains on a number of lines.
Rail traffic has since resumed, although it has yet to return to normal flow.
In response to the wildcat strike, Israel Railways said that it "regrets that the union has taken aggressive steps." It said the work stoppages were a response to management's intention to carry out reforms in the company's work force structure.
"We are determined to carry out the reforms as planned," it said.
A passenger who boarded a Rehovot-bound train at the Tel Aviv Central station told Army Radio that the train "stopped in the middle for 20 minutes. We just sat and they told us nothing. Then they said there was a technical problem, then, only after another 10 minutes, they let us get off.
"We got out at the closest station, then made our way on foot, along the tracks."